This is Anfield!

I am a fan of Liverpool. Since I knew The Beatles which is my favourite band is from Liverpool although they were neither Liverpool nor Everton’s fans, I’ve been becoming a big fan of Liverpool. Not only for the city, but for the Football Club too. Liverpool jersey is my first ever football jersey. Someone bought me Liverpool jersey when I was 10 years old. First time I knew Liverpool FC, its squad was enlivened by a bunch of local lads like Robbie Fowler, Jamie Redknapp, and Steve McManaman. Although they failed to win English Premier League, their performance caught my attention. Then, the new generation, lead by the rise of superboy Michael Owen, gave a new hope. Under Gerrard Houllier, they won 5 titles in 2001. Unfortunately, English Premier League title still stayed away from our trophy cabinet. Then, Rafael Benitez came with new energy giving Champions League cup after superb come-back in the final against AC Milan. However still no English Premier League Trophy under his 8-year managing at Liverpool. Now, under Kenny Dalglish and new ownership, hopefully Liverpool will win EPL trophy for the first time since 1990.

As a Liverpool’s fan, one of my dreams was visiting Anfield. It is a football stadium, a home, a history, and a life for Liverpool FC. My dream came true in April 2011. I had opportunity visiting Liverpool for the first time. Not only for city sightseeing, I also bought tickets for EPL match between Liverpool v Manchester City at Anfield Stadium. The ticket was about £45 per person. I was very happy that time. “Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool” was echoing in my head.

First time I saw the stadium, I was quite shocked. My expectation was too much about Anfield Stadium. In fact, Anfield Stadium lies on dense residential area. Something that I never expect. Its ‘remote’ location makes its splendour disappeared and frankly the size is smaller than what I thought. But, those were my first impressions about Anfield. After I read history about it, I now understand about its location and size. Size doesn’t matter. The joy is the main story for Anfield Stadium.

I wore special outfit for this match. I wore 2 shirts: outside was Liverpool’s jersey (unfortunately I didn’t have home jersey) and inside was T-Shirt of “Nurdin Turun”. Nurdin was the president of Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI). He was just like Sepp Blatter, the president of FIFA. Too much sin, too much corruption, lack of bright leadership, stubborn, and many more. I wore this T-Shirt to deliver the message to Nurdin Halid thas his time was over . I was not the first Indonesian people who did this. Many Indonesian had performed this extraordinary movements at many stadiums all around the world. At last, Nurdin Halid was sacked from the president chair. Unfortunately, since he went down, the condition of Indonesian football fail to rise up.

The atmosphere at Anfield Stadium was extraordinary. Wherever you come from, whatever you are, as long as you sit as Liverpool’s fan, support Liverpool FC, and wear Liverpool jersey, then you become a part of big family. We have one goal here, to support Liverpool win at Anfield. We twist and shout for Liverpool, just like The Beatles sang.

Match at Anfield

Before the match started, the fans had expanded and flowed a huge poster from one stand to another stand. When the team entered the pitch, we screamed hysterically welcoming every players. When the commentator mentioned the line-up, again we clapped and shouted for each players. The most touching moment was when we sang a song “You’ll Never Walk Alone” before kick off. Everyone sang and lived up the song.

When you walk through a storm
Hold your head up high
And don’t be afraid of the dark

At the end of the storm
Is a golden sky
And the sweet silver song of the lark

Walk on through the wind
Walk on through the rain
Though your dreams be tossed and blown

Walk on walk on with hope in your heart
And you’ll never walk alone
You’ll never walk alone

Walk on walk on with hope in your heart
And you’ll never walk alone
You’ll never walk alone

Liverpool won 3-0! Two goals from Andy Carroll and a goal from Dirk Kuyt. The goals were amazing! I remember, every time Liverpool’s player almost made a goal, we just screamed not believing what just happened. When Andy Carroll had opened the goal scoring, we started shouting and rejoicing. Although I didn’t know people beside, behind or in front of me, we celebrated every goal together. When the referee made a foul decision for our team, we cursed him “Bl**dy fool, f*ck you referee, etc”. Dirk Kuyt then made the second goal. We started believing that we absolutely were going to win this time. Andy Carroll then made the third goal using his head to ensure our victory. Unbelievable and Fantastic watching Andy Carroll made two goals. After 3-0 lead, Liverpool fans sang the song and yelled more intense and louder. Moment of truth at Anfield was very special for me. Unforgettable!

It was already 9:45 pm when the referee blew the final whistle. The people left the stadium clean and orderly. People have to take a walk around 15 minutes from Anfield Stadium to the nearest bus stop. It was very difficult to get into the bus due to high number of people and the lack of night bus. Then, my wife and I decided to take a walk from the bus stop to our hotel. It took about 30 minutes. Tired, but absolutely worth.

If you are a Liverpool’s fans and have opportunity visiting UK, you must visit Anfield Stadium in Liverpool for watching EPL match instead of having stadium tour. Because, once you decide to get involved in Liverpool match, You’ll Never Walk Alone!

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